Gene Green responds to President’s budget

Published 3:12 am, Wednesday, February 4, 2015

PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Monday, President Obama released his FY16 Budget proposal to Congress. Representative Gene Green (D-Pasadena) released the following statement:

“The President’s proposed budget sustains important programs and new initiatives for working class Americans. It contains essential health provisions such as a much-needed extension for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The budget also invests $3.8 billion in health centers, which are a key component to our nation’s health care safety net, and a comprehensive plan for advanced medical research.

“While I am glad to see critical investments in health, I would like to also see more for our nation’s infrastructure. The President’s budget includes a $200 million reduction to budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE), which is the principal body responsible for port maintenance.

"For the past two years, the President has stressed the importance of investing in our ports, roads and bridges. Yet yesterday, he released this dramatic cut. We can’t just talk about our good intentions, we have to commit to investing in the resources that actually employ Americans, generate real revenue, and contribute to our national economy. Now is the time to invest in our ports and channels. We cannot afford to put it off for another year. To be competitive on a global market, we must prepare for the Panama Canal expansion and the only way to compete for the largest container and cargo ships in the world is to construct and manage deep-water ports and channels.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress as we continue the budget process and invest in national priorities.”